Wednesday, 5 September 2007 - 3:00 PM
155

Understanding smoking from the perspective of people facing multiple disadvantage - Focus groups in inner Sydney

Anita Tang, BA, MALP and Jon M. O'Brien. Health Strategies Division, The Cancer Council NSW, 153 Dowling St, Woollomooloo, Sydney, 2011, Australia

Background: Data on smoking rates in Australia show significant reductions for the general population but high rates persist among very disadvantaged sub populations. There is a need to direct attention and resources to reducing smoking prevalence among these high-risk groups. But to do that effectively it would be useful to know more about the experience of smoking among very vulnerable people.

Strategy: This presentation outlines findings from a series of focus groups held with multiply disadvantaged people in inner Sydney. The groups were commissioned by The Cancer Council NSW in cooperation with The Wayside Chapel and Wesley Mission and conducted by social research company Urbis Keys Young. The project was an element of The NSW Cancer Council's Tobacco Control and Social Equity Strategy. Participants were smokers who commonly faced a range of problems including, homelessness, mental illness and other substance use issues. The groups explored participant's history and feelings about their smoking and examined the role that smoking played in their lives. Discussion also covered participants experience and attitude to quitting as well as their perceptions of currently available supports and ideas on what else might assist them to stop smoking.

Conclusion: Findings from the project have been used to inform initiatives within the Tobacco Control and Social Equity Strategy and may be of interest to those shaping policy or practice in relation to very disadvantaged smokers.



Web Page: www.cancercouncil.com.au